BLUE HILL – The Penobscot Valley High School girls soccer team wasn’t exactly riding a wave of momentum into post-season play.

The eighth-seeded Howlers had lost their last four games, and qualified for the Eastern C playoffs with a less-than-spectacular 5-8-1 record.

Luckily for PVHS, there was a simple remedy: a rededication to team play, and taco parties.

So far, that combination has produced nothing but success – a preliminary-round win over No. 9 Central of Corinth, a quarterfinal upset of top seed and defending state champion Searsport, and a 2-0 semifinal victory over No. 4 George Stevens Academy here Tuesday.

Suddenly, the Howland-based team is headed for the regional final, at No. 2 Houlton on Saturday.

“Our attitude is a lot better now,” said sophomore goalie Jenn Plourde. “We’re definitely playing as a team more, and we’re communicating a lot better.

“We also have taco parties. One of the parents said if we got so far in the playoffs, we’d get a taco party. That was our goal, and we made it. We got one after the last win, and now I’m sure we’re going to get another one after this win.”

PVHS coach Richard Lindsay credited his team’s post-season turnaround to increased consistency throughout the game.

“We had been playing one half of outstanding soccer, the second half, but we’d come out flat in the first half,” he said. “But in the last few games we’re putting our halves together, and that’s been the key.”

The Howlers (8-8-1) scored once in each half to eliminate GSA, with Kacy Foster and Ashley Dawson tallying goals to support the defensive effort anchored by Plourde (24 saves) and sweeper Michelle Bowers, who celebrated her birthday Tuesday.

Foster gave PVHS a 1-0 lead 4:27 into the match. She was left open near the far goalpost to score from close range on a cross from Amanda Hallett.

Dawson added the critical insurance goal 4:35 into the second half. Sarah Colbath led Foster with a pass down the center of the field, and while Foster was unable to get off a good shot, the ball bounced to Dawson who scored to the left of GSA goalie Liz Tyler (13 saves).

“Ashley Dawson is probably as fast as any girl out there, so we’re trying to keep her up with the last defender and chip the ball over the top and let her go one-on-one,” Lindsay said.

GSA (9-4-3) was not without chances of its own, particularly early in the first half just after PVHS scored and late in the second half when the Howlers focused on defense.

The Eagles hit both the crossbar and the far goalpost with shots over the final 23 minutes of play, but couldn’t get the ball past Plourde.

“They came out here ready to play, and I don’t know why but we weren’t quite ready to do it,” said GSA coach Steve Bemiss. “[Penobscot Valley] did an excellent job, and they are to be commended.”